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In today's dynamic and competitive business landscape, effective Leadership and Human Capital Management (HCM) are indispensable for organizations striving to thrive and excel. From recruiting top talent to fostering leadership development, from strategic workforce planning to managing payroll and expenses, the spectrum of HCM practices encompasses a myriad of crucial processes. For students aspiring to build impactful careers, understanding the nuances of HCM, acquiring the necessary skills and competencies, and gaining relevant experiences through internships are essential. To shed light on these aspects, Business Career Development Committee (BizCare) organized an Internal Networking session featuring Professor Vivien Lim from the department of Management and Organisation, along with Year 2, 3, and 4 students Grace Yang, Ang Shi Yu, Rachel Chong, and Trina Chionh all of whom have extensive internship experiences related to Learning and Human Capital Management.
Professor Vivian Lim commenced the session by highlighting the importance of human capital management in organisations, and the difference in Human Capital Management (HCM) and Human Resources (HR). While HCM focuses on bringing the talent out of employees and viewing them as valuable assets HR ensures employee’s well-being and fair practices. Additionally, she underscored the diverse opportunities in HCM, such as roles in HR data analytics, consultancy, strategic partnerships, and talent acquisition and management.Professor Lim urged students to cultivate a curious and inquisitive mindset, encouraging active participation in workshops, courses, and avid reading to explore their passions. Notably, she underscored the necessity of communication skills, to foster effective leadership and enhance employability. Concluding her segment, she stressed the importance of broadening one's network and forging diverse connections thereby creating opportunities for professional growth and development.
Grace then shared her experiences, beginning with her role as a Global Talent Development Intern at Seagate Singapore. She highlighted her involvement in a global team, where she contributed to in-house content development and organized workshops for colleagues. As the President of the NUS Human Capital Society, she spearheaded the organization of large-scale HR events, further expanding her skill set in human capital management. Grace emphasized the transformative nature of her student exchange program in Sweden, describing it as life-changing and encouraging all students to pursue similar opportunities for personal growth and independence. She stressed the importance of enjoying university life, noting that it provides invaluable experiences essential for growth beyond academic achievements.
Shi Yu shared his internship journey, as a People & Culture Intern at StashAway, primarily working as an HR Journalist. He emphasized the positive company culture at StashAway, which encouraged individual participation and made him feel like a valued member of the team. He then transitioned to an internship at BNP Paribas as a Learning & development intern, where he focused on client liaison and employee evaluation and development. He shared that as a male individual in this industry, many questioned his decision to specialise in HCM as the roles may not be financially incentivising as others, like Finance. However, Shi Yu remained steadfast in his decision as he recognized his strengths in communication and a passion for HCM, Shi Yu advised students to strategically plan their school semesters, advocating for credit-bearing internships and exploration of their likes and dislikes. He also highlighted the invaluable support provided by NUS career advisors, whose guidance helped him uncover his passions and navigate various roles within HCM to find his niche.
Rachel, Y2 student, spoke about her internship journey, recounting her time at Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore, a subsidiary of The Heineken Company, where she served as a talent acquisition intern. She was immersed in a variety of tasks other than talent recruitment, including creating brand collaterals, organizing outreach events, and managing the company's recruitment website. These responsibilities broadened her skill set and provided invaluable experience. Currently interning at SingTel as a People Experience & Communication intern, Rachel's focus is on competency framework development. Despite this area not aligning perfectly with her interests, Rachel saw it as an opportunity to enhance her skills and become a well-rounded HCM professional. She encouraged students to approach internships with a similar mindset, using them as platforms to explore different facets of their roles and discover their passions. Rachel underscored the importance of utilizing university to gain practical experience and explore various clubs and organizations. By actively engaging in extracurricular activities, students can uncover their passions and strengths, setting the foundation for future career endeavours.
Contrary to other speakers, Trina majors in Civil Engineering but harbours a keen interest in pursuing a career in HCM. Despite lacking a background in the industry, , Trina started her journey by interning at Woh Hap as a Quality Assurance/Control intern. In this role, she primarily conducted site observations and analysis, culminating in presentations for her team. This experience equipped her with transferable skills that paved the way for her subsequent internships. Trina's first internship at ING as a Human Resources Risk Intern saw her fulfilling a business partnership role, resolving conflicts between departments, and assisting employees with personal issues. Subsequently, she secured a second internship at KPMG as an HR Service Delivery Intern, where she conducted medical leave audits and assisted in drafting employment letters. Trina emphasized the importance of recognizing transferable skills in any role undertaken and articulating them effectively during interviews to enhance internship prospects. Echoing sentiments shared by other speakers, Trina stressed the significance of passion in one's pursuits and encouraged students to utilize school resources such as clubs and societies to discover opportunities.
All four speakers unanimously emphasized the importance of students branding themselves on LinkedIn and attending career festivals to explore job opportunities. They highlighted the significance of leveraging LinkedIn as a powerful tool for establishing connections, with active engagement potentially catching the eyes of employers. Despite initial hesitations, the speakers acknowledged that LinkedIn provides an excellent platform for networking, allowing individuals to interact with professionals and showcase their personal achievements and skills. Additionally, attending career festivals was underscored as a valuable opportunity to meet companies and their teams, fostering deeper connections and insights into potential employers. Furthermore, career festivals serve as an effective platform for sourcing internships and connecting with industry professionals. The panel also shared insights on the importance of staying updated with trends influenced by the pandemic and Artificial Intelligence as this helps individuals distinguish themselves in a competitive job market.
Post-Panel Opinions from Students
“I attended the event to gain a better understanding of Human Capital Management (HCM), as I was previously unsure about the term. The professor’s insights on the industry and the speakers’ internship experiences gave me a better understanding of HCM and what the role entails. While I am still undecided on which specialization to pursue, this event offered valuable insights into what I can anticipate within an HCM specialization.”
~ Travis, Y1 BBA
“I thoroughly enjoyed the networking session and feel like I’ve gained valuable insights to the HCM industry. I especially liked how the physical environment of the session was inviting and cozy, which helped make the speaker’s experiences seem more relatable for the audience.
~ Yin Kiat, Y2 BZA